Ablaze: Told Twice Book 2

The Girl Who Needed to Prioritize

Kaiyo managed to jump on the Flash's back right as he sped off. She heard him grunt and the sudden presence of her weight, but he didn't stop running.

"What you doing?" he asked trying to crane his head around to look at her face to see who she was.

"Hitching a ride," Kaiyo said a grin stretching across her dark lips.

"Who are you? You would Mirror Master? Did he send you?"

"Mmm..." Kaiyo began. She tilted her head from left to right pondering the question. "Yes and no."

She could tell by the rigid way the flash held his form that he wanted to just throw her off his back but was fearful of what would happen if he did. Kaiyo patted his shoulder gently in a rare show of compassion. It wasn't appreciated as she could feel the rumble of a growl in his chest as he ran on.

"What you mean yes or no?"

"Well, there's a plot to kill you. Actually, it's more like the entire Justice League. I don't really care whether or not the League dies. I just care whether or not Sakura Haruno dies."

"Kaiyo!" The Flash said as if suddenly remembering her. Kaiyo giggled.

"You remembered! Yes, it's me. In the flesh."

"If there's a plan to kill the League and if you want Sakura dead why are you here with me?" Kaiyo didn't answer his question. Instead, she said, "do you want to get out of that thing or not?"

Kaiyo could tell that the Flash was suspicious, but she didn't care because it wasn't a priority. His life was.

"Why would I trust you?"

"You probably shouldn't, but I mean you no harm Flash."

"I don't believe you."

"And that's fine, but I still need to get the bomb off of your arm, and you're still going to allow me to do it."

"You're not touching my arm."

"So its alright for me to ride on your back but I can't touch your arm?"

"I didn't say you could –"

"Oh hush, Barry."

The Flash jerked, and Kaiyo realized her mistake. Inwardly she cursed herself because now this was going to take longer than necessary.

"How do you know my name?"

Kaiyo sighed. "I know a lot of things about you Barry Allen. It doesn't matter how I know them. Just know, that I need to get that bomb off."

"If you kill me –"

"Then we'll both be dead," Kaiyo said gleefully. "After all, we're right here together. Do you honestly think I can escape before the bomb goes off?"

"I don't know what you can do."

"Sometimes I feel the same way." Kaiyo paused. "And I don't mean that in a good way just to be clear."

"We are clear."

Kaiyo began to awkwardly maneuver her body so that she was no longer hanging from his back but instead clinging to his front. There was a lot of grumbling on the Flash's part during her movement, but she ignored it.

"I'm going to need your arm now."

"I'm using it."

Kaiyo yelled frustrated. She raised her hands and gently held Barry's face. "Barry Allen I swear on everything dear to me that I will never, ever do anything to harm you. Let me help you."

"How do I know you have anything dear to you?"

He had a point, and she hated to admit it. If she weren't holding on to him, she would've crossed her arms across her chest and pouted. "I thought you superheroes were big on trust."

"Nah, that's just what we want you to believe."

Kaiyo laughed. "Alright fine then if you won't let me remove the bomb from your arm I'll tell you how to do it yourself."

"Why would you do that?"

Kaiyo groaned feeling like she was talking in circles. "Because I don't want you dead."

Wryly Flash said, "just Sakura, huh?"

Kaiyo beamed. "Now you get it!"

"Just tell me what to do."

:::

Sakura's glare on Bruce was unwavering. She was determined not to move another inch until he explained why she had to dig him out of a grave.

"His name is Bane." Sakura searched her memories for a villain by that name but could come up with nothing.

"I don't know this name."

"He's been quiet since you've been here. He found out who I am. He did this."

Sakura contemplated his words and made a decision. "Then I will find him and kill him."

"Sakura, you know we don't kill."

"They do, and if we continue to show mercy one day, they'll kill us. One day they'll kill you. There comes a certain time where you have to make a stand and the statement."

"I thought you were better than that Sakura," Sakura spoke without thinking. "Not when your life is on the line."

Bruce opened his mouth as if to speak but suddenly his mouth snapshot and his brow furrowed.

"We need to get to the cave now."

"Bruce we are not done here. I'm not-"

"They're in danger Sakura. We have to go now."

"Who's in danger?"

"The Justice League." Sakura was suddenly plagued by terror.

"The Justice-Clark's in danger." Sakura missed the dark look that crossed Bruce's face. "I need to go."

"Go where? You don't even know where he is."

The smart alec in Sakura came out. "Metropolis."

"So you're just gonna run around the entire city trying to figure out where he is. What's wrong with you today Sakura?"

She didn't know. She did know that the people that she cared most about in this world were in danger. Her heart was about the pound through her chest. She felt helpless and hated it.

"I can't sit by and let people hurt you."

"And by you-you mean Clark and me." Sakura would have replied, but Bruce didn't give her a chance to. "Now was not the time to discuss this. We need to contact the team. Let's go."

Sakura stopped arguing because he was right. She allowed the dark Knight to grab her arm and drag her to the manor.